University of Ozarks Women Wrap Up Christmas Angel Project

Clarksville, Ark. --- Thanks to the University of Ozarks Women (UOW), 883 children from 370 families will not go without presents this Christmas.

For the 16^th year in a row, the UOW has orchestrated its annual Christmas Angels project. In coordination with the Department of Human Services (DHS), the UOW provides gifts of toys and clothing for children in Johnson County, from newborns to age 18, whose families have financial need. Parents and guardians of these children apply for the program each year through the local DHS.

Angel ornaments on trees were scattered throughout the community and picked up by those wishing to make Christmas happier for others, and the gifts were then returned to those locations for collection by the UOW. The ornaments included the child’s gender and age, clothing size, favorite color and a suggested toy. The average cost to fill a gift box was $35. The names of the children and families are kept confidential.

“It’s hard to say, because so much of it is donation, but I’d guess this was a $40,000 to $50,000 venture,” said UOW Committee Co-Chair Monica Frizzell. “And as I said before, this is a community effort through the gifts and donations they give. Without them, this project could not exist.”

The gifts will be donated on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Johnson County Fair Building. For details, call (479) 979-1215.

Topics: Community Service